Send Yourself Some Fun: The Skinny on Subscription Boxes

Whether you’re a new mom, a beauty junkie, a travel fanatic, a foodie or a book lover, chances are there’s a subscription box service out there to scratch your itch. Subscription boxes are a fast-growing trend where companies curate and send everything from prepackaged dinner ingredients to baubles or shoes straight to your doorstep.

To personalize it, most companies require new users to complete a profile survey to determine their personal styles or tastes. Some surveys can be completed in a minute or two; others are as in-depth as college applications. Once your profile is complete, you’ll receive boxes in the mail with specialty products picked just for you. The boxes range from $10 per month to about $100. Here are our favorites:

FOR MOM

Fabfitfun: This box features full-size products from well-known brands including beauty products like nail polish, lip-gloss and shampoo and lifestyle favorites like candles, workout DVDs, granola bars, scarves and even umbrellas. Frequency and fees: $50 for one box; $180 for an annual subscription of four boxes.

Try the World: For the foodies, this is a fun combination of snacks, drinks and ingredients so you can truly “discover the world” through your tastebuds. Frequency and fees: $19-$40, depending on preferences.

Woven Pear: If you like fun socks, you will love these high-quality, hand-dyed, and comfortable ones. Frequency and fees: You can buy them one pair at a time ($15 or you can join their subscription services and get three seasonal pairs shipped to you each month or every other month (and save half off or more, depending on how long you commit to); free shipping.

Kiwi Crate: This box is great for creative kids. They are monthly themed boxes filled with experiments, projects and games, packed to be age appropriate. Frequency and fees: $60 for three months, $110 for six months, and $205 for 12 months; free shipping.

KidStir: This box is designed to help kids make a happy and healthy food connection with a monthly cooking kit including recipes, tools and fun food-related activities for kids to learn from and create with adult supervision. Frequency and fees: $15.95 per month or $12.95 per month with an annual commitment.

Bookzle: It is a book club for kids, with added support for parents. This monthly subscription box is personalized for your child according to age (down to the month), and includes books, a parent guide, a goal chart and a gift for reaching those goals. Frequency and fees: Can buy just one or join for $15-$40, depending on preferences.

We’ve listed just a few of the more than 600 subscription boxes available in the United States. Give it a try; who doesn’t love to get a package in the mail?